Ontario government urges winding down of conservation programs to conserve cash
(Toronto Star, Robert Benzie, Aug 20, 2019)
The cash-strapped Progressive Conservative government is hoping to conserve money by winding down some conservation programs.
Conservation Ontario said local municipalities and conservation authorities were been told in a letter last Friday from Premier Doug Ford’s administration to shut down any initiatives that are not related to their “core mandate.”....
Environment Minister Jeff Yurek confirmed late Monday night that the letter had been sent to Conservation Ontario.
“Over the years, conservation authorities have expanded past their core mandate into activities such as zip-lining, maple syrup festivals and photography and wedding permits,” he said.
Yurek noted the Tories had signaled the changes in the More Homes, More Choice Act earlier this year, the legislation designed to make it easier to build new homes.
“Bringing conservation authorities back to their core mandate will allow municipalities to better manage conservation authority budgets and programs,” the minister said.
“The legislative changes we’ve made ensure conservation authorities focus on delivering core services and programs that protect communities from natural hazards and flooding while using taxpayer dollars efficiently and effectively,” he said.
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